Since last June I have been qualifying homeowners in the Los Angeles County for the Home Upgrade "Energy Upgrade California" program sponsored by the State Of California, funded in part by the Federal Government, and YOU the Customer of the Utility Companies.

We test your home and give you the results all at no cost to YOU! What's the catch you ask? Two appointments need to be made and kept by the homeowner(s). The program provides assistance and incentives up to $6500 for home…

The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) constantly evolves to meet current energy efficiency needs. Over the years new requirements have been added to the IECC to make it stricter and increase overall energy efficiency of buildings. Some states are resistant to these changes, and some choose not to adopt an IECC at all. In fact, of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, 10 either haven’t adopted an IECC, or are operating under a code older than the 2006 IECC, according to the…

There has been much ado about the recent paper published by E2e; Do Energy Efficiency Investments Deliver? Evidence from the Weatherization Assistance Program, the final word on which is yet to be written.

Decades of experience and verification prove energy efficiency programs deliver huge benefits to consumers and the environment - and these benefits far exceed the costs. But numbers can be distorted and therein is the bane of Energy efficiency projects.

I was called in to perform a last minute duct test for a modular home builder. He was all in a dither to have a duct test and a blower door test done on a Friday so that he could get his Certificate of Occupancy (CO) so the homeowner could move in the following Monday. He said that he’d just found out that he needed these tests. The building inspector asked for them at the last minute!

I was glad to do it partially because it’s good to have builders aware of what is going on…

Understanding how heat is transferred from the outside into your home and from your home to your body is vital for understanding the challenge of keeping your house cool. Understanding the processes that facilitate keep your body cool is vital in understanding cooling ways for your home.…

Understanding how heat is transferred from the outside into your home and from your home to your body is vital for understanding the challenge of keeping your house cool. Understanding the processes that facilitate keep your body cool is vital in understanding cooling ways for your home.…

Sandeep and Carolyn Sood own several apartment buildings in Chicago, but the 55-unit building at 6731 S. Jeffery Boulevard is special. The building is one of the first in the country to receive the new ENERGY STAR® certification for multifamily buildings.

“For us, it’s an important designation. It shows people that want to live here that we care.…

Energy is a monumental subject, certainly not something that can be covered in a single blog. There are lots of resources and new information that comes out on a regular basis, so how do you keep up with it? A couple years ago I read a book…

After the first week, the ductless heat pump and I became so close that could never even think of her as ugly. But some folks don't like the look.

In an analogy to current medical practice, the mini-split heat pump is fabulous but the side effects are minimal for some people. In those cases, we have a cure for the side effect, the LED sandwich light that mesmerizes the eyes softly and makes heat ugly pumps disappear right before your very eyes.…

Homeowners are often aware of the different problems they experience in their homes: uncomfortable rooms, high utility bills, poor indoor air quality, etc. However, homeowners are generally unfamiliar with the concept of Home Performance, the Whole House approach, and how energy efficiency upgrades can address these concerns. We regularly hear these stories and find that by listening, asking the right questions, educating, and providing guidance, we can help homeowners feel…

Ever wonder how appraisers develop value of houses with green or energy efficient features? Residential Green Valuation Tools was published last month by the Appraisal Institute. The 189-page book has 13 chapters that address the most often asked questions about the valuation process and green building. As the author of the book, I found the challenge of writing this book a great learning and…

Chances are you were at the ASHRAE 62.2 debate, if you were at ACI last Thursday morning. While you were venting about exhaust or listening to Dr Joe drop F-bombs there was a quiet revolution taking place in room 330.

The WiFi revolution.

Retrotec and The Energy Conservatory - the two giants of pressure diagnostic tools- collaborated to show us the future. A future…

As reliable energy sources, solar and wind once had a couple of similar problems – darkness all night and the proverbial calm before the storm, respectively. On the bright side, though, when these natural forces become our power sources, then the heat and the light are free -…